The Portland daily press., 1887-12-03
MR.. sAYARD's TELEGRAM.
A Congressman Tells Something
About the Fishery Negotiations.
How a Despatch From the Secretary
Affected the British Position.
Reported Indifference of England to
the Commercial Union Question.

NAshlNGTON, Otc. "a uuuiuoI VI ihcia-
bers of both houses of Congress have spent
the summer in Europe. Nearly all of these
have returned One Of them, who devoted
special attention while in England to the
fishery question, and who had special ad-
vantages in addition to those which his posi-
tion gives him for ascertaining what was
transpiring there, has had this to say since
his return as to certain phases OF the fishery
question, information as to which has not
been given the public here through any OFF,
cial channel. He said. in substance: "The
British government last spring and summer,
when the fishery negotiations were renewed
after the adjournment of Congress, desired
above all things else TO avoid any complica-
tion with the United States government The
British foreign Office cared very little absut
the complaints of Canada, or about her nsh-
ing interests, il these were to be placed in
the balance against a possibility Of serious
conflict with the United States. OF this
fact the Canadian authorities were well ad-
vised, and this was cause OF grlevous COM
plant against the home government. United
States Minister Phelps had presented the
case of the United States In remarkably
able manner, and had insisted upon such an
Interpretation of the treaty of 1918 as would
give satisfaction to all persons In the United
States VINO were interested In the hsheries.
The British government was about to accept
the Interpretation upon wnich minister
Phelps had insisted, when despatch was
received by Mr.. Phelps from Secretary Bay
ard with directions that 1t pc read to the
proper British authorizes, wnicn at once
This despatch stated that the United
States, under all circumstances, wished to
avoid any complication with Great Britain,
of thn shn au
Something that could not be thought of. Di-
rectly after this despatch was read to the
foreign Office the British government author
tiles changed their tone. toward Minister
Phelps. were more emphatic, and insisted
upon their own view Of the treaty OF 1873,
and this change of tone has since been main
tanned. Minister Phelps, who thought that
he had nearly brought matters to success
full termination, strictly followed his instruc-
tions without official protest or complaint,
and has, of course, to some degree, lost
heart in the further progress of negotia-
tion which, to him, was about to be c0nclud-
ed in the manner Of which the United States
would approve, the issue of which, just now
however, seems to him uncertain.
The same gentleman is authority for the
statement that the Fishery Commission now
sitting in Washington, will conclude lts Ia
b0rs in time to have presented TO the SENATE
upon its assembly a draft OF new treaty,
which will be approved by the State Depart
ment, and which will contain in great meas
ure the views presented to the conference by
Mr.. Chamberlain, these being, to some ex-
tent, the views which were Iopposed by Mln.
lister Phelps at London, and upon which 1t
BILE last summer that Great Britain would
not insist. 1t remains to be seen whether
this congressman was rightly informed. lhls
can be determined by the text Of the draft OF
the proposed new treaty and by the CORES,
pondence between the State Department and
Minister Phelps. The despatch which Min
lister Phelps was directed to read to the Brit
ish government above referred to, has never
yet been published, if it was ever sent.
Thinks England Is willing.
HALIFAX, Dec. 2.-Hon. A. G. Jones, Lib
eral member of the Dominion Commons
for Halifax, said yesterday he did not be-
lieye England would offer any opposition to
an arrangement in the nature OF free trade
between Canada and the United States. The
Canadians would undoubtedly be prosperous
under unrestricted trade, and for that reason
the contentment of the people being at stake,
the imperial authorities would recognize the
advisability of non-interference. Aluding
to the situation at Washington, Mr.. Jones
said: .'There is room to doubt If any very
satisfactory settlement, so Tar as the Canaqi-
ans are concerned, can be arriyei at. MI.
Chamberlain's sole object is obviously to
bring about treaty satisfactory to the Inn
perial government, and points which may
mean much to us would probably be yielded,
so far as he is concerned, II by doing SO ne
could arrive at an understanding that the
English government would approve Of"
A Canadian Explanation.
OTTAWA, Dec 2.--Hunter Doyar, inspect
or of fisheries for the province of Prince Ed
ward island, is here, and says that the hook
and line boat fishermen of Prince Edward
Island and the other fishermen Of the mari
time provinces fishing on the island shores.
made third larger catch of mackerel this
wear than last. He attributes this to the
Strict watch kept by Canadian cruisers.